IT / OT Systems Engineer

WestRock Company; Dublin (GA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking an IT/OT Systems Engineer to design, implement, and support manufacturing IT/OT infrastructure, including DCS and PLCs. You will coordinate with process control engineers, operations, and suppliers to plan system upgrades and ensure proper documentation of IT/OT environments.

The role requires strong problem-solving, networking, and Windows services expertise, with a focus on safety and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of industrial IT/OT experience or 10+ years IT in enterprise-class environments.
• Ability to learn new technologies rapidly with strong problem-solving skills.
• Experience with VMware vSphere 5.5+ (ESXi, vCenter, Horizon View).
• Knowledge of networking concepts (subnets, routing, VLANs, wireless, Firewalls/ACLs) and common protocols (HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SSH, NTP, SMTP, TELNET, RDP).
• CCNA Certification and Windows Services knowledge (AD, DNS, DHCP).
• Experience with blade systems, storage, Fibre Channel, iSCSI; familiarity with HP/Dell/PureStorage hardware.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and support IT/OT infrastructure including DCS and PLCs.
• Coordinate system/network requirements with process control engineers and suppliers; participate in factory checkout.
• Document IT/OT systems and drive improvement projects; support weekend/off-hour needs.
• Troubleshoot and lead resolution efforts; promote technical skills with stakeholders.
• Coordinate policy and infrastructure improvements with WestRock Corporate IT and Engineering teams.

Skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Research ability

Self-directed learning

Safety focused

Education

2-year degree in IT/Engineering

Military experience equivalent

Tools

VMware vSphere

Active Directory

DNS

DHCP

OSIsoft Pi

Cisco networking gear

Windows Server OS

WMI

SNMP

Job description

Description & Requirements

The IT/OT Systems Engineer position: provides technological and engineering expertise for the implementation of new IT/OT technology and equipment; evaluates and resolves problems with existing IT/OT systems utilizing vendor and/or mill maintenance support when necessary; designs and programs changes to the existing OT systems as needed. This position ensures the IT/OT systems are properly deployed to provide the greatest return on investment regarding production, costs, quality as well as safe and environmentally sound operations.

The IT/OT Systems Engineer reports to the Process Control Manager

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock:

• Responsible for designing, implementing, and supporting the IT/OT infrastructure that supports Process Control Systems. This includes Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s), as well as custom control applications used to meet manufacturing needs and production goals.
• Assists project engineers and managers in the planning, development, and implementation of capital projects.
• Engages in development of short and long-term planning of system upgrades and migrations.
• During project design, assists with coordinating the development of system and network requirements with process control engineers, operating departments, and control system suppliers. Participate in factory checkout of equipment prior to delivery to confirm design and functionality.
• Provide documentation of IT/OT systems.
• Maintains a strong emphasis on IT/OT improvement projects -- customer focused innovations, cost saving improvements, process optimization, etc.
• Utilizes a proactive approach and project skills to develop solutions to short- and long-term issues.
• Works closely with Process Control, Maintenance, and Operations to identify and resolve issues.
• Leads troubleshooting efforts of systems and processes. Helps promote technical skills with key stakeholders.
• Coordinate with WestRock Corporate IT and Engineering & Manufacturing Services to implement policies and infrastructure improvements.
• As part of the Process Control & IT team, shares in the responsibility of providing weekend and off-hour availability to support Process Control and IT mill needs as well as startup support from planned and unplanned shutdowns.
• Adheres to all mill safety rules, participates in, or may lead safety programs and meetings with the goal of improving safety at the mill. Supports the mill behavior-based safety program.
• Maintains mill-wide data historian (OSIsoft Pi) and related interfaces.
• Evaluates, troubleshoots, and maintains system hardware.
• Support of 3rd Party vendor system access in adherence with corporate policy
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What you need to succeed:

Required Experience

• Minimum of five years of industrial experience in IT/OT preferred with degree or 10 years plus of IT experience in enterprise-class environments would be required with two-year degree or equivalent military experience.
• Ability to research and learn new technologies at a rapid pace with exceptional problem-solving skills.
• Experience with VMware vSphere 5.5+ including ESXi, vCenter, Horizon View and other virtualization solutions.
• Knowledge of networking concepts such as subnetting, routing, VLANs, wireless, Firewalls/ACLs, and common protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SSH, NTP, SMTP, TELNET, and RDP.
• Cisco experience
• Knowledge of Microsoft Windows Services such as Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, etc.
• Experience with blade systems, storage arrays, Fibre Channel, and iSCSI.
• Familiarity with various server hardware vendors such as HP, Dell, PureStorage, etc.
• Ability to build/image/support desktops and laptops in both IT & OT environments
• Knowledge of system monitoring software and protocols involved (PING, SNMP, WMI, etc.)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Results oriented individual capable of handling projects individually, yet able to work efficiently in a team-oriented environment
• Additional skills needed: self-directed, flexible, self-learner, multitasking, results driven, and safety focused

Additional Experience Considered a Plus

• Experience in a 24/7 manufacturing environment
• Experience with Anti-Virus products such as McAfee and Symantec
• Experience with VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) environments utilizing Thin/Zero clients and management of these systems
• Expertise with all Windows operating systems (Server and Workstation)
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office365 application suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, etc.)
• Knowledge of legacy telephony and modern VOIP systems.
• Experience with support of printers
• Ability to support other devices such as Vehicle Mounted Units (VMUs), Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), and Cameras
• Understanding of Industrial Communication Protocols such as Modbus TCP, Ethernet/IP, OPC, Wireless HART, etc.
• Ability to read and understand P&ID’s loop sheets, and electrical drawings
• CCNA Certification
• Experience with Nutanix and other VM Platforms